Poll: Can you tell time on a "regular" clock?

[snagli]

I have an analog clock with no numbers and arms that are indistinguishable from one another, and I can still tell the time. Still, Digital clocks are just so much more useful, especially when put on 24h instead of 12h. I also like that they are simply modern.

I also used to have a watch that used seemingly random dots in a 16x16 grid to tell time, date and temperature. Took me a week to figure out.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

My watch is analog. I'd have a bit of trouble if I couldn't. Still, I worry kids these days just aren't bothering to learn, what with the digital displays on their phones and Ipods and watnot...

The thing is, it's no longer relevant to actually be able to read time. Much like handwriting. We're going digital and honestly, I think it's more important to know how to type than write with a pencil and analog time is a thing of the past now that we have the technology to actually display the time in numerical form.

But despite what I just said, I refuse to wear a watch if it's digital.

Spoiler: This is currently the watch I wear. Image is kind of big.

I've taken a liking to watches without faces ever since someone on the Escapist mentioned them. I've always been into watches and would love to learn to make them... I know no one cares but it's something I like to talk about. But yes, I can read analog. It takes about a second more than reading a digital watch and it's a whole lot more stylish.

 

[Knusper]

I can read it perfectly well although I and practically everyone I know prefers digital, probably because you don't have to strain you eyes to read the numbers.

 

[Crispee]

I could figure out if I had a few minutes, but I never bothered properly learning analogue. I use my iPhone and computers all the time and they always use digital, so I've never needed to.

 

[Crazy_Dude]

Yes and I never met anyone who couldnt read the regular clock.

I prefer digital just because its easier for me.

 

[MadeinHell]

Yes but I have not had a watch on my hand in... 4 years?

 

[mrF00bar]

Can tell the time on an analog clock instantly, I have to think about it for a sec with digital though.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

Yeah, I've had this thing in my mind recently, how bad it might be if the electricity supply was wiped out for a month or so worldwide, I think so many of us rely utterly on TV, gadgets, the internet for information, etc.

I wonder just how many people would struggle to find out anything without google, especially with libraries slowly dying out, and being the only other alternative reference point, at least, in terms of being free.

Sure you could buy books to learn about something you didn't know. So you'd have to go into town, find a book store, get them to place an order by mail, wait a few weeks for it to arrive, it's such a huge leap to now, where you go *click* amazon - that one, tomorrow please!

I do wonder how many people will understand analog clocks in say, 20 years.

I also wonder if we're learning less because it's so easy to access the information when needed, there's no feeling of needing to know it in advance.

 

[Skylants]

I much prefer the analogue clock to the digital because that's what I was taught on.

 

[Casual Shinji]

... Uhm really? Is this seriously becoming an issue in this day and age?

To hell with wars, murders and rapes; This is the kind of shit that makes me lose faith in humanity.

 

[Forum_Name]

It's 83 past 1

 

[TehCookie]

I have trouble reading clocks without numbers. I can read an analog clock just fine as long as it's labeled but if it just has dots it takes me longer.

 

[NormalityImpaired]

yes i can read analog clocks just fine. i still have trouble with sundials though, unless clearly marked.

 

[TheTaco007]

Yeah. It makes me want to slap someone when I meet people who can't. It's like "What the fuck were you doing in first grade?"

But yeah, I love my pocket-watch too much to forget how to read them.

 

[88chaz88]

I can tell the time in my mind easier with an analogue face, though speaking the time is easier with a digital one.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Yes, I can.

I can read these easy as pie. I prefer them to digital.

The model that my high school had everywhere.
Are there people who can't?

 

[Goofguy]

Uh yeah, I can tell the time off an analog clock with no problems. In fact, I prefer it that way. It would surprise me to meet people in their teens and 20s who can't tell time this way, it just seems so... fundamental.

 

[GLo Jones]

I prefer analogue, and don't understand people that say they have to 'work out what the time is' looking at them. It's 24hr digital clocks that take me an extra second to calculate.

Also:

It's 83 past 2

If I look at that any longer, my head might explode.

 

[RastaBadger]

I can read a normal clock and I can read a normal clock backwards. I still don't know why I have a backwards clock but it confuses the hell out of guests.

 

[Himmelgeher]

Don't they teach everybody in second grade? I went to an absolutely awful school district in the absolutely awful state of Arizona and they still taught us that. So yes, me and everybody I've ever met (with the exception of children who haven't gone to second grade) can read regular clocks. That said I still prefer digital clocks unless it's on a watch. Analogue watch's are a lot easier to read for some reason.